Wave-Power Unit Guiding Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wave-power units face operational disturbances due to lateral displacement of floating bodies relative to the generator, causing misalignment and side forces that affect the translator's centering and journaling, leading to increased wear and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A guiding device with a hollow body having an axial extension and openings where the connection means pass through, allowing the guided portion to form an angle with the center axis, ensuring proper alignment and reducing wear by minimizing side forces and optimizing the inner surface geometry for smooth contact and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the floating body is allowed to move freely on the sea surface, then it can capture wave energy effectively, but it drifts away from the ideal vertical position above the generator causing lateral displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guiding device as an intermediary component between the floating body and the generator. This guiding device includes a guiding member that passes through the floating body and is constrained by guiding means in the generator housing, allowing the floating body to move vertically for wave energy capture while preventing lateral displacement that would misalign it with the generator's center axis.
2Manufacturing precision
If the translator is journaled in the stator to maintain proper position, then alignment is improved, but side forces from inclined connection means result in high load on the journals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lateral constraint function from the journaling system and places it in the guiding device. The guiding means in the generator housing prevents lateral movement of the connection means, thereby eliminating side forces on the translator journals. The journals are now relieved of lateral loading and only need to support axial reciprocating motion.
3Manufacturing precision
If the connection means is kept taut to maintain alignment, then translator centering is improved, but wear on the connection means increases due to lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding device acts as an intermediary that redirects lateral forces. The guiding means constrains the connection means to remain aligned with the generator's center axis, preventing lateral displacement. This eliminates side forces and bending moments on the connection means, reducing wear and extending its service life while maintaining proper translator centering.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The guiding device maintains translator alignment and reduces wear on the connection means, allowing the wave-power unit to operate effectively regardless of the floating body's lateral position, with smaller journaling requirements and extended component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
reduces wear by minimizing side forces and optimizing the inner surface geometry for smooth contact and reduced friction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wave-power unit with a floating body (1) connected by flexible connection means (3) to a translator (6) reciprocating in a linear generator (2), The floating body (1) is arranged for floating on the sea and the stator (8) of the generator for anchoring on the sea bed, According to the invention the connection means is guided by a guiding device (9) through lower and upper openings, The part of the connection means (3) that momentary is within the guiding device (9) is thereby guided to be aligned with the translator movements adjacent the lower opening and to be allowed to be inclined adjacent the upper opening. The invention aiso relates to a use of the invented wave-power piant and to a method for producing electric energy.